Dilator lumen channels for coaxial fluid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus and kit for coaxial fluid transfer within a tubular member that forms a dilator. One or more channels are provided that form a fluid path through the dilator irrespective of the presence of an elongated device such as a guidewire, a wire-based needle, a radiofrequency-based puncture device, a mechanical-based puncture device, a catheter mechanism, a stylet mechanism, or any suitable device dimensioned for insertion into a dilator for accessing tissue of a patient. The channels may be located on a lumen surface, within the distal tip of the tubular member, or may extend a partial or full length of the tubular member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for fluid transfer, the apparatus comprising:
 a tubular member having a circumferential sidewall, the circumferential sidewall including a tapered portion with an outer diameter that is tapered towards a distal tip of the tubular member;   a lumen for fluid transfer through the distal tip, the lumen centrally located within the circumferential sidewall; and   a channel coaxial with the lumen and located at least at a distal region of the tubular member;   wherein a fluid is movable through the channel irrespective of the presence of an elongated device located adjacent the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is located along a tapered portion of the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further including at least one additional channel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each channel is separated from one another by an arc length around a periphery of the lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the arc length separating each channel is equidistant. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the lumen is at least partially occluded by the elongated device located adjacent the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the channel extends between a hub connected to the tubular member and the distal tip of the tubular member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the tubular member is a dilator. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the channel is open to the lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further including an inner tubular member forming a dilator that is concentric to the tubular member which forms a sheath around the dilator, and the lumen is a sheath lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the channels are formed within a distal section of the dilator. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each of the channels includes a proximal port in fluid communication with the sheath lumen and a distal port located at the distal tip of the dilator. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein an interface between the sheath and the dilator forms seal by an interference fit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein fluid transfer through the channels is selectively enabled and disabled by relative linear movement between the sheath and the dilator that places the proximal port of each channel, respectively, into and out of fluid communication with the sheath lumen. 
     
     
         15 . A kit forming an apparatus for fluid transfer, the kit comprising:
 an elongated device capable of insertion into a tubular member for accessing tissue of a patient; and   a tubular member capable of accepting the elongated device, the tubular member having
 a circumferential sidewall, the circumferential sidewall including a tapered portion with an outer diameter that is tapered towards a distal tip of the tubular member; 
 a lumen capable of fluid transfer through the distal tip, the lumen centrally located within the circumferential sidewall; and 
 a channel coaxial with the lumen and located at least at a distal region of the tubular member; 
   wherein, upon insertion of the elongated device into the tubular member, a fluid is capable of movement through the channel irrespective of the presence of the elongated device located adjacent the channel.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the tubular member forms a dilator including at least one additional channel. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , further including an inner tubular member capable of forming a dilator that is concentric to the tubular member, wherein the tubular member forms a sheath around the dilator, the lumen is a sheath lumen, and the dilator includes at least one additional channel. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the channels are formed within a distal section of the dilator, and the channels each includes a proximal port capable of fluid communication with the sheath lumen and a distal port located at the distal tip of the dilator. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein an interface between the sheath and the dilator is capable of forming a seal by an interference fit. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein fluid transfer through the channels is capable of being selectively enabled and disabled by relative linear movement between the sheath and the dilator that places the proximal port of each channel, respectively, into and out of fluid communication with the sheath lumen.